Improvement in ore-separators



Patented Sep.3, 1872.

D. NEVIN. Improvement in'Ore-Separators.

No. 1.31,o64.

UNITED STATES DAVID NEVIN, OF GEORGETOWN, COLORADO TERRITORY.

PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ORE-SEPARATOiRS.

. Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 131,064, dated September 3, 1872.

Specification describing a new and Improved Ore-Separator, invented by DAvD NEVIN, of Georgetown, in the county of Clear Greek and Territory of Colorado.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l rep# resents a vertical longitudinal section of my improved ore-separator. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 a vertical transverse section on the line c o, Fig. `1. Fig. 4 isa detail horizontal section on the line k 7c, Fig. 2.

Similarletters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a new ore-separator, in which air currents, or rather puffs, are used to effect the desired separation of the heavier from the lighter metals.

The invention also consists in the use of a continuous rotary wire-screen under the hopper, inthe use of a screw for regulating the same, and of a stationary tail-screen, as hereinafter more fully described.

Ain the drawing represents the frame or caseof my improved separator. B is the rotary fan, hung in one end of the same, to produce a continuous air-current. G is a rotary blade covered with leather or otherwise made ,practically impervious to air. It is placed in the air-channel directly in front of the fan, and of such size as to till said channel when in the position shown in Fig. 1. While being revolved the blade C interrupts the air-current whenever it thus closes the channel and then opens it again, thereby causing the air to be blown in puffs toward` the forward part ofthe machine and not in a continuous current. D is the feed-hopper, into'which the dry ore, reduced to proper neness, is placed. One or more slide-gates, a a, in the bottom of the hopper serve to regulate the escape of ore therefrom. Lugs b b, sharp-edged on top, are

placed against the side of the hopper, under the gates a, and serve to spread the ore so that it will be supplied across the entire width of the movable screen E, or the hopper may be covered with leather or other material.

In operation, the puffs of air blown from below through the traveling screen E cause the ore on the latter to bound up and dropdown alternately, the hea`vier falling lower and passing through the meshes of the screen E into lateral discharge-spouts g. The lighter ore reaches the tail-screen, through which some passes into a spout, h, while the very lightest mate rial falls over the edge of the tail-screen. The several shafts and rollers are revolved by means of belts or other suitable mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new Vand, desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The rotary wire-screen E arranged under the feed-hopper of an ore-separator, as speciA ed.

bined with the rotary wire-screen E, to oper ate as set forth.

DAVID NEVIN. Witnesses: HENRY C. HAREINGTON, WM. N. HUToHrNsoN.

2. The tail-screen F placed against and com- 

